Gold – Exhibition Opening Event

Gold – Touches of Gold in Contemporary Israeli Art
Opening October 29, 2026 – Closing March 2027
*Entrance to the exhibition is included in the museum entrance ticket*

Special Display: Rare archaeological artifacts

The exhibition, Gold – Touches of Gold in Contemporary Israeli Art, hung by celebrated curator Marie Shek, brings together a rare and unprecedented meeting surrounded by the ancient stones of Jerusalem: three generations of contemporary Israeli artists, from established veterans to rising young voices, gathered under one roof around the single material, gold. The artists use gold in diverse and varied ways — in gold leaf and gold powder, in metallic paints, in threads and fabrics, and at times in materials that imitate the material’s sheen and presence. The differences between generations, between disciplines and styles, and between personal and cultural perspectives, create a multi-voiced dialogue not previously seen in a single Israeli exhibition. For each of them, gold operates differently: at times it becomes a symbol of holiness and spirituality, at times of power and prestige, and at times it serves to examine questions of identity, migration, memory, tradition, and belonging.

Alongside the contemporary art, the exhibition displays a never-seen-before spectacular ancient gold jewelry collection as well as ancient gold coins from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Here, among the stones of the ancient Citadel, gold becomes a bridge between eras and cultures, between contemporary artworks and archeological finds. It reminds us that while kingdoms rose and fell, and empires flourished and vanished, the splendor of gold and the meanings bestowed upon it, continue to evolve, illuminating the story of humankind. It allows us to look anew at Jerusalem itself – a city that throughout history has been an object of longing, adoration, and desire.

While the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum honors the city and its history, heritage and inspiration every day, every year – this exhibition carries particular weight: “Gold” opens the museum’s year-long program of cultural and educational activities in 5787 תשפז leading up to the 60th anniversary of the reunification of the city. A fuller program accompanying this milestone year will be unveiled online alongside the exhibition’s opening.

The artists featured in the exhibition:
Nelly Agassi ✦ Yehoshua Borkovsky ✦ Yifat Bezalel ✦ Yoav Brener ✦ Lior Grady ✦ Moshe Gershuni ✦ Aram Gershuni ✦ Alma Gershuni ✦ Yoram Chishin ✦ Miriam Cabessa ✦ Elena Cherti Stein ✦ Moshe Kashy ✦ Gabriel Klasmer ✦ Elham Rokni ✦ Dafna Shalom ✦ Lilach Sasson ✦

Curator: Marie Shek
Curator of Archaeological Artifacts: Ravit Nanner-Soriano

Archaeological artifacts: courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Staff Officer for Archaeology, Judea and Samaria

You are cordially invited to the exhibition opening event on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Entrance is free but attendance must be registered.
Program
6:00pm – Reception at the Victor and Esther Achar Amphitheater
7:00pm – Welcome remarks
7:30pm – Self-guided tour of the exhibition
*Admission is free; advance registration is required.

Main picture: Elkam Rokni Hoopoe, 2024
Photography of the art works: Elad Sarig